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Miami vs Fort Lauderdale: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Miami has a crime rate of 43.5 per 1,000 residents vs Fort Lauderdale's 23.9 per 1,000, making Fort Lauderdale 45% safer overall. Fort Lauderdale earns a C+ safety grade compared to Miami's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

Miami

Florida

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate43.5/1K
Percentile9%
C+

Fort Lauderdale

Florida

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate23.9/1K
Percentile48%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricMiamiFort Lauderdale
Overall Crime Rate43.5/1K23.9/1K
Violent Crime Rate550.0352.3
Property Crime Rate3800.02033.2
Murder Rate6.95.9
Assault Rate447.8274.2
Robbery Rate96.044.1
Burglary Rate642.6278.0
Theft Rate2529.91577.3
Vehicle Theft Rate558.7273.3

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Miami is safer in 0 and Fort Lauderdale is safer in 9.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Miami, you have a 1 in 23 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 42 in Fort Lauderdale.

Full Safety Reports

F
Miami, Florida Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Fort Lauderdale, Florida Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Miami safer than Fort Lauderdale?
As of 2026, Fort Lauderdale is 45% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.9 per 1,000 residents compared to Miami's 43.5. Fort Lauderdale earns a C+ safety grade vs Miami's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Miami or Fort Lauderdale?
Miami has more violent crime at 550 per 100,000 residents. Fort Lauderdale is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Miami vs Fort Lauderdale?
Miami has a crime rate of 43.5 per 1,000 (violent: 550/100K, property: 3800/100K). Fort Lauderdale has 23.9 per 1,000 (violent: 352/100K, property: 2033/100K).
Should I move to Miami or Fort Lauderdale?
From a safety perspective, Fort Lauderdale has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Miami (pop. 489,812) and Fort Lauderdale (pop. 188,677) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Fort Lauderdale's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Miami and Fort Lauderdale compare for property crime?
Fort Lauderdale has lower property crime at 2033 per 100K vs Miami's 3800. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Miami vs New YorkMiami vs Los AngelesMiami vs TampaFort Lauderdale vs Tampa

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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